The Center for International Environmental Law calls upon the Human Rights Council Member States to take urgent action in the upcoming weeks
September 14, 2021
Geneva, CH — Following an announcement that the Core Group on Human Rights and the Environment is bringing forward a resolution to recognize universally the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment during the 48th Session of the Human Rights Council, Sébastien Duyck, Senior Attorney; Human Rights & Climate Campaign Manager, Climate & Energy Program at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), issued the following statement:
“Communities worldwide are experiencing that the climate emergency is one of the biggest threats to the full enjoyment of human rights in the 21st century. Other environmental crises further aggravate these threats, as millions of people lack access to clean air, water, and adequate food supplies. Deforestation and biodiversity loss are accelerating. Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and while intensifying to unprecedented levels. At the same time, the rapid rise of hazardous and toxic substances is poisoning communities. And each year, environmental defenders are targeted and assassinated at ever-higher numbers. Addressing the multiple emergencies that affect communities will require a multi-front approach. The universal recognition of the right to a healthy environment is one critical part of that effort.
“While activists, Indigenous people, and experts have worked for over four decades to enshrine the right to a healthy environment in constitutions, laws, policies, and through regional instruments, it is not enough. A universally recognized right will mobilize institutions and stakeholders, promote a converging framework for protecting this right, empower communities, and aid in constructing policy arguments to support communities most vulnerable to environmental harms. Past experiences demonstrate that universal recognition of a new right is not an intellectual exercise or a feel-good activity – it has a profound impact on mobilizing governments, prioritizing issues, transforming systems, and improving the lives of communities worldwide.
“The overlapping ecological crises show us that the world cannot wait: the time is now to recognize the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment at the United Nations. We welcome the proposal put forward by Costa Rica, the Maldives, Morocco, Slovenia, and Switzerland to proceed with the adoption of Human Rights Council resolution recognizing this right and, and we call on Member States to proactively support the global recognition of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment at this session of the Council.”
Media Contact
Cate Bonacini, CIEL Communiciations Manager, press(at)ciel.org, +1-202-742-5847
Posted on September 14, 2021